Ollie the Purple Elephant

by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo.

Ollie is a purple elephant who is lost and has no place to call home. Until Shelby and Peter find him in the park--and invite him to live with them. Soon Ollie is a regular part of the family. He doesn't have a room to call his own, but he doesn't mind. He is happy. He loves hopscotch and kickball--but most of all he loves the dance parties the McLaughlins have after dinner.

But Mr. Puddlebottom, the downstairs neighbor, most certainly does not love Ollie. And neither does the McLaughlins' cat, Ginger. Ollie has taken her spot on the couch at night. When the conspirators hatch a plan to get rid of Ollie, the purple elephant walks right into their trap--and onto a circus cart. Will he ever be reunited with his family?

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Family, Fantasy, Humor

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Jarrett J. Krosoczka, known since boyhood as "JJK," is the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars™: Jedi Academy series, and Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Krosoczka creates books with humor, heart, and deep respect for his young readers—qualities that have made his titles perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores over the past twenty years.

In addition to his work in print, Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in the full-cast audiobook adaptations of his graphic novels. The Hey, Kidoo audiobook garnered both Audie and Odyssey Awards for excellence in audiobook production. The Lunch Lady audiobook cast is led by Kate Flannery (The Office) and is rounded out by famed audiobook narrators and real kid actors! Krosoczka has been a guest on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, has been profiled in The New York Times, was featured on Good Morning America, and has delivered three TED Talks, which have accrued millions of views online. Krosoczka has garnered millions of more views online via the tutorials he has produced for YouTube and TikTok. As well as working on his books' film and television adaptions, Krosoczka has also written for The Snoopy Show (Apple TV+) and served as a consultant for Creative Galaxy (Prime Video), and appeared in live segments for the show.

Realizing that his books can inspire young readers beyond the page, Krosoczka founded School Lunch Hero Day, a national campaign celebrating school lunch staff. A consummate advocate for arts education, Krosoczka also established the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships, which fund art classes for underprivileged children in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.

Krosoczka lives in western Massachusetts with his spouse, their three children, pugs Ralph and Frank, and a French bulldog named Bella Carmella.

Reviews

[Scottsdale Public Library]

The unforgettable and colorful return of the family pet, Ollie the purple elephant. –Monty K.-

[ratherread · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars! (based on my grandson's reaction)

This is a cute fun book. The sentences were little mature for my 3 year old grandson, so I skipped some of the words and focused on telling the story by the excellent illustrations. He loved it and I am sure we will be reading this book for a couple more years.

[Nola Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ollie the Purple Elephant moves in with the McLaughlin family, everyone's happy except for the cat and Mr Puddlebottom (i.e. the man downstairs who doesn't like to hear the sound of dancing coming through his ceiling). The cat and Mr Puddlebottom hatch a plan to send Ollie away to the circus. Will Ollie ever be reunited with his family or will the cat and Mr Puddlebottom keep the peace and quiet they love?

An interesting story with a good message and fun illustrations.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little story about finding a family. Not only does Ollie become a part of the McLaughlin family but so does Leon the Lion and Zoe the Monkey. I loved the diabolical cat, although he was really mean to Ollie, and I’m glad the horrible ringmaster was sent to jail.

I didn’t really understand why we needed the part in the beginning about “Mr. McLaughlin always said if they found a purple elephant, they should keep it”. It seemed like they needed an excuse in the story to allow the family to take in a purple elephant, but if we’re already bending reality with a purple elephant that talks why would we need permission to take it home to begin with?

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have some issues with this one. First off, we're talking about what amounts to kidnapping or slavery here, and that's an issue. Secondly, they're keeping WILD ANIMALS with no training at all! It's bad enough that we're dealing with the mistreatment of animals in a circus, but the solution is to take them home with you? I don't think so. It's a silly fantasy book, I know, but it still bothered me. And since I'm totally not even opposed to the ideas of zoos and circuses, this says something.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of a quirky story, funny & colorful. I might use this for story time, but it's not my first choice. Pre-school/kindergarten will appreciate this.

[Pruthvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay I actually loved this book, but it involves forgery and contracts 🤣🤣 soooo, maybe not great for kids’ understanding BUT entertaining for adults.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ollie the purple elephant didn't have a home, so he was invited to live with a family who lived in an apartment building. The family's cat didn't like Ollie, nor did the man who lived downstairs. They come up with a plan to get Ollie to move. His life isn't nearly as happy then.

The story has a nice twist and a happy ending that children will enjoy.

[Sarah Landolt · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too much for a kids book à la old fashioned fairy tales : robbery, evil conspiring, forged contracts, life slavery to the circus. So many bad guys and messed up things happen to this poor Elephant! My niece enjoyed it but I thought it was too heavy handed & mature on the good vs bad guys plot, even though the good won in the end and the bad guys got caught.

[Kristen Dutkiewicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

So happy I stumbled upon this book!

How fun would it be as a kid to have a real elephant for a pet?!

The problem is not everyone exactly agrees with having a pet elephant, so when poor Ollie ends up being sent off with the circus, will his family be able to recuse her?

Perfect for the younger elementary school students.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The moral of the story might be...(orange) cats are evil? That, or they are dead set against dance parties. The narrative feels a bit disjointed, but I think this is a fun read for kids. I know a few I'll probably buy it for!

[Ellon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did think Ollie and the other animals were pretty cute and there were some fun moments but overall the book was kind of long and random (as another reviewer mentioned, contracts and forgery in a kids book?). I also didn't like the cat being evil haha.

[Thaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whimsical tale about a purple elephant that begins living with a family. I thought the story was a bit dark for kids. Also, I wish the kids learnt to be more mindful and accommodating to their neighbours and made less of a ruckus when having their dance parties.

[Boom! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing story about an elephant that has a four-legged nemesis and threatens to displace him from his home. My kids were kinda neutral on the story.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderfully written and illustrated one where parents should be cautious when they promise things!! After a few conflicts it all works out well for most!

[Emily Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange beginning to the book, but it’s cute and fun. I’m not a fan of the conniving cat and that it may teach/encourage children to be manipulative.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ollie the purple elephant is looking for a permeant home but isn't quit sure if he's found it or not. elementary and up

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute and fun

[Nanny B · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute story

[Megan Renner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krosoczka, J. (2011). Ollie the purple elephant. New York: Random House, Inc.

The story begins by explaining that two children's parents told them that if they ever came across a purple elephant one day, that they could keep it. One day while at the park they came across a purple elephant. The parents then said "a promise is a promise" and told them that he could come live with them but that he would have to follow their rules. Then the elephant began involving himself with the daily activities in the families lives and got along great! Though the neighbor that lived below the family was not a big fan of the newest family member. Also the family cat was not a fan either. So the neighbor and the can made a conspiracy to get rid of the elephant. They decided they would trick him into joining the circus. So he joined the circus and was on the road with them for a year. Ollie missed his family and one night when the ringmaster gave the animals the night off, Ollie thought that he would go visit his old family. When he arrived at there apartment building he realized that they were being robbed! He quickly decided he needed to stop the bad guys. He saves the day, and gets reunited with his family. When his old family begs for him to come back Ollie agrees but the ringmaster says that he signed a contract and is not able to. Then the dad of the family took the contract and said that it was forged. Then the truth came out that the man who forged it and the ringmaster were related. They were quickly arrested. Then Ollie's old family ask if he would come back to them. Ollie agrees but ask if his new friends from the circus could come too. The family says that they have an open apartment, so the animals move in and they have lots of dance parties and are happy forever. I liked this story. I especially liked the colors on the pages. The choice colors really made them stand out. I rate this book 5/5.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and funny!


When a parent promises a child they can have a purple elephant should they ever come across one, it is a promise made in jest, a folly! Not to the McLaughlins. At the park one day, what should they happen to see, but a purple elephant named Ollie. As promised, Ollie is given a home and a permanent place in the McLaughlin home, until one of their crabby neighbors (and the family cat) complains and Ollie is taken away to join the circus.

Don't fear - this is a children's book, where happy endings run supreme! A year later, Ollie's circus comes to town, as do his friends. When Ollie brings his friends to meet his family, they stop some bad guys and become heroes. And, they all live happily ever after...together.


I judge books by their covers, and I made a beeline for this book when I saw it amongst the many. I opened it right up and read it on the spot, and I'm so glad I did. The author's name stood out to me, and I couldn't figure out why. I couldn't remember reading any other picture books by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. It wasn't until I got home did I realize - he is the genius behind THE LUNCH LADY series! My kids LOVE these books!! (psst, Lunch Lady is going to be made into a movie!)

The illustrations were simple and engaging, the colors vibrant, and there were just the right amount of words on each page (parents, you know what I mean by this!). It's fun, and silly, with a happy ending!

[Shazzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Mr. McLaughlin had always told his children that should they ever come across a purple elephant, they could keep him." Poor Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin had no idea they would one day find Ollie, a purple elephant, in the park. Not wanting to go back on their word, the McLaughlins decide to invite Ollie home, where they put him up on the fold out couch, much to Ginger the cat's annoyance. While Ollie lives it up with the McLaughlins, Ginger makes a deal with the downstairs neighbor, Mr. Puddlebottom, who isn't too keen on Ollie either. Soon Ollie is taken away by a traveling circus, and the McLaughlins are heartbroken. As always Krosoczka has his finger on the pulse of what's funny, and he also has a wonderful touch of feeling what it's like to be a part of a family. A lovely book, and a great read aloud for school age audiences.

[Marika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jarrett's Lunch Lady series and Punk Farm books have established him as a humorous writer/illustrator. But Ollie the Purple Elephant breaks new ground, and proves that Jarrett is just as adept at classical drama as silly tales. Ollie is on top of the world when he is adopted by the McLaughlin family. But their cat Ginger doesn't like Ollie, and neither does Mr. Puddlebottom, who can't stand the sound of McLaughlin dance parties-- especially when there's an elephant involved. Together, Mr. Puddlebottom and Ginger conspire to get rd of Ollie, leaving the McLaughlins heartbroken . Will Ollie ever return home? With vibrant, colorful, illustrations popping off the page, Ollie is sure to become a new classic. Now, when can I order my purple elephant plush?

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read aloud about a family that adopts a purple elephant named Ollie. Their families lives become filled with laughter and dance, much to the annoyance of their cantankerous cat and the downstairs neighbor. Together the cat and the neighbor concocted a plan to rid themselves of this pachyderm. Fun read aloud or book to recommend to elementary age students.

[Danie P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for a read aloud picture book in a classroom setting. This longer picture book is about Ollie the Purple Elephant who is alone in the park until the McLaughlin family invites him home to stay. The neighbor hates this new family member so he plots with the McLaughlin's cat to send Ollie away to the circus.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very amusing. I love the first line - it sets the tone for the silliness level. I think that the book would also make for a good classroom discussion on feelings - the angry/jealous cat and the disgruntled neighbor - and how we should handle our negative feelings. But it would also be just plain fun for sharing.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever find a purple elephant in the park, you can keep him....
Ollie joins the family, which makes just about everyone happy. But watch out for the cat! A colorful, fun picture book from the red-hot author of the Lunch Lady series. We are enjoying everything he writes. This is a fun read aloud.

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book, sweet story, and I do love that the parents have always promised their children if they ever found a homeless purple elephant they would be allowed to keep it, and then one day they do find a homeless purple elephant. Unfortunately after that point the story turns into a not very original story of a jealous cat who gets rid of Ollie, only to be foiled.

[Sandybear76 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book. Colorful. New characters. Ollie finds a fun family to live with but the neighbor doesn't like Ollie or the fun. He gets Ollie to the circus and the family can't find Ollie. a happy ending.